Panel Confirms S. Korean Cloning Fraud

mmell writes "South Korean cloning scientist Hwang Woo-suk created a stir when he claimed to have successfully cloned human stem cells, claims which were almost immediately viewed with skepticism in the scientific community. Now an article on the BBC's website chronicles the doctor's final fall from grace as nine scientists empanelled at Seoul University conclude that Doctor Hwang's sensational claims were in fact an elaborate fraud (although they have also confirmed that Doctor Hwang's prior claim to have cloned a dog appears to be valid)." Confirmation of the investigation begun last week.

Comments

Defrauding for Dollars

[ackthpt]

The worst bit of the fraud, as I heard on the BBC this morning, is it lead to considerable investment in Cell Research in S. Korea because Hwang was not at the periphery, but at the forefront of the field. Now S. Korea will be relegated to backwater status in the field of Stem Cell and Cloning Research (which will in all likelihood severly diminish their chances for a spot in the 2008 Olympics Tailored Stem Cell competition.)

However, Don Asmussen of San Francisco Datebook notoriety has again nailed it and skewered bystanding bigwigs in Washington DC and Hollywood on his followthrough.

But will he try out for the 2008 Olympic Political/Social Commentary squad, that's the big question

Re:Defrauding for Dollars

[cagle_.25]

Perhaps this gives us a second chance to evaluate whether embryonic stem-cell research is really worth investing in. Consider:

Non-embryonic stem-cell research is already miles ahead in providing cures

Embryonic lines consistently develop mutations that make them unusable.

Non-embryonic lines are progressing towards embryonic flexibility.

All of this pales, however, in view of the green dollar signs that float in front of researcher's eyes. Somehow, money seems to make morally outrageous actions seem legit. I have no problem turning off the flow of cash to research that amounts to cannibalism.

Why?

[Zathrus]

What I don't get is why he did this, or (if you believe his claims) why he was setup?

Ok, clearly there could be some incentive -- the amount of money, adulation, and so forth pouring into his office after the paper was published was stratospheric. But did he (or the conspirators) actually think the fraud wouldn't be found out? Eventually they would've had to make good on their claim of indvidualized stem cell lines, and they couldn't do that. The gig would've been up in another year at most -- hardly long enough to be worthwhile.

This entire debacle has set back stem cell research -- many labs stopped or slowed down on their own research after the announcement. Some tried to replicate the bogus research, or simply found money drying up because who wants to back the 2nd place finisher? And now that it's been shown to be a fraud, how difficult will it be to get donations now?

The only explanation I can think of is a conspiracy by anti stem cell research groups, and I don't buy that. The only people who could've pulled off the fraud were top scientists in the field, who have been doing similar research for years. And now they're all disgraced along with Hwang.

It just doesn't make sense to me.

Re:Do something useful

[Shadow Wrought]

A theme done well by Calvin & Hobbes. Instead of his clones doing his work they all get into trouble and don't care about the consequences since he's the one getting punished;-)

This fraud hurt other legit research

[digitaldc]

I was listening to the radio this morning and they had a story on NPR about this fraud. They said it not only hurt the reputation of the S. Korean lab, but also when it was reported that they had 'cloned' a human embryo, funding dried up for other similar legitimate research labs (such as Massachusetts' Advanced Cell Technology) as well.

Story is here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?story Id=5147015
Legitimate research lab: http://www.advancedcell.com/